Something is over...

I am putting *** next to the things that are actually exciting and worth the reading, so if you're in a hurry you can just go to these paragraphs. 

Well, last night was officially the last night of the Human Rights training program. I must say, it has been one interesting ride. Different feelings, mixed with physical exhaustion, yet the mental determination to keep going. It was an experience I won't forget. From all the material I've learned, to all the people I've gotten to know, to the countless things I've learned about myself- I'm grateful! 

The last five days of the training I got a chance to learn how to record and produce documentaries. My teammates and I were able to summarize the 20 day training we had in a six minute documentary we recorded. I think I found a new hobby here. It made me realize how selecting certain images to display to the viewer can influence feelings and thoughts the viewer will have. The production team is actually in charge of so much more than just showing a picture. Every. Little. Detail. COUNTS. For someone like me, who always stresses "big picture" or "general meaning", this was really challenging, yet really eye opening. 

Now is the morning of my first day in Egypt with no agenda and no plan. It feels a bit overwhelming (now what?), but a part of me trusts there are good things to come. 

Housing story:

****As you all know, I've been staying with my grandma and aunt for the past three weeks, but have been trying to find another place to stay that has WiFi, better AC, a more comfortable bed, and the freedom to do what I want without having to explain it to my lovely protective family (it's been sweet of them, but I need some space...ehem..). 

2 years ago, I was at church in Atlanta. A lady tapped my shoulder and asked "are you Egyptian?" We connected. Turned out she is the CEO of an NGO in Egypt that deals with sexual abuse. We would talk here and there, but nothing too serious. A couple of weeks before I came to Egypt, I saw her at a wedding. My parents asked if she knew of a place for me to stay in Egypt and she explained that her NGO has a guest house for people that volunteer for them, especially those that come from outside Egypt. After receiving this exciting news, I followed up with the guest house to ask about their price, and sadly it was way too high for my budget, so I dismissed the idea, still hoping to volunteer for her NGO.

About a week ago, I set up a meeting with her so we can further discuss my ability to help out. That same day was particularly exhausting at the Human Rights training, yet I still had planned to meet with her along with visiting two other housing places people here had told me to check out. After my training, I took the metro and visited the first housing place, then the second. I was really discouraged because they weren't that clean or comfortable at all. I was still willing to try them out, but prayed I would find something better.

Afterwards, I took a taxi to the lady's house and we talked. It was an amazing conversation about her passion and vision, along with my skills that can help her NGO out. After we were done she asked if I had found a place to stay. "Funny you're asking me this now, cause I have just spent 3 hours visiting places and not really feeling comfortable with them," I replied.

"Why don't you consider our guest house?"

"Sadly, the price is too high"
"No dear, let me call the guest house director, she'll give you the price you want."

Off she dials and calls the director. "Yes, Lydia my friend wants to live at the guest house, but your price is too high. Half the price for her. Ok? Here Lydia, take the phone."

I was in shock, as you can imagine. "...hello? yes..umm.."

They told me I'm more than welcome to come and pay whatever price I want. 

This place has AC, WiFi, comfortable beds, a kitchen, washing machines, AND it's next to the new metro line which has AC! Everything I wanted, better and cheaper than all the other housing options. 

And thus, God provided housing. On my way back home that day, I couldn't help the smile on my face "God, you really care. You really provide." :)

So what's next?

In a couple of days I'm officially moving to the new place. Then starts my time at the orphanage, the NGO, and another nonprofit I'll be helping once a week. In addition, I'll be visiting a mental hospital every other week with a guy that's been here in Egypt for a couple of years now and has been serving and changing the place for better. He told me he visits the mental hospital and I was really interested in also going so I can talk with the women (since he's not allowed there).

I think that's a good schedule for now. I'm sure new things will come and go, but I hope I also learn to give myself some rest.

I'll be better at staying in contact now that I'm not in a strict schedule. Thanks to all who read and care and love and encourage and pray and support and believe in me. It means so much! 

Pray that I stay humble through this experience and keep learning new things. Pray that being alone on this journey doesn't affect me but would rather strengthen me. 

Love you guys!

Just the beginning!

It's been around ten days here in Egypt. I'm not sure where to begin. To all who care to read on and to all who have reached out to me recently, I love you guys. It truly matters to me to know there is an army of "encouragement warriors" behind my back. No matter what, I know I got trusted folks in my life, so thank you.

I've been going through an intense twenty day human rights program with the Cairo Institute of Human Rights (it will end August 30th, every day from 9 am to 6:30 pm, no days off). At first, I was scared my (bad) Arabic skills would cause a deficiency in my ability to mix well with the group of 50 other young people, along with discussing and giving input during lectures and workshops. What I have realized is, most people really like you if you've lived abroad, and most Egyptians, no matter what, will always encourage you. I've witnessed a huge amount of love from this group of 50 people, maybe it's cause they all care about humanity and human rights, or maybe it's cause God's just blessing me. Either way, we have become a good family here. We are all so different. We have a Syrian girl, a man from Afghanistan, a Bahaai, a Nubian (southern Egypt), liberals, conservatives, Muslims, Christians, Atheists, homosexuals all sorts of people. But we all learn to respect and love one another, it feels like a bit of goodness in a land full of what many like to call "hopeless misery". At first, I was so hesitant and shy, but I forced myself to play guitar/sing "how He loves us" at an Open Mic session, and I feel since then (along with all the love and encouragement I receive here), I've opened up more and started speaking up :)
Our lectures include topics on refugee rights, housing rights, education, women, children, suspect/victim rights, police brutality, death penalty, poverty, and so much more. I'm learning so much!

Aside from that I've had the chance of visiting the orphanage once, along with visiting another nonprofit I'll be volunteering for. Currently, I live with my aunt and grandma in downtown Cairo. I'm looking for other places to continue my stay till mid December. It's been nothing but a joy. But a different kind of joy. The kind where you feel like you're in a dirty pit, but you can look up and see a light, and you get excited because you feel there is hope.

I was walking down the street with my music on. The sun's heat (it's only 101 degrees...) was hitting my skin, my sweat was dripping, but heart was glad I was in my country. A car was parked on the side of the road with a pleasantly plump woman inside it devouring a cake. She took the wrapper and threw it out the window on the ground. I picked up the piece of trash and said "we are trying to make our country clean, ma'am." Surprisingly, instead of cursing at me, she apologized. Here I was proud of myself for "saving the world", and ready to find a trash can. My spirit soon felt sad as I realized, there are no trash cans, and even more so, I found piles and loads of trash on the side screaming at me "Lydia, we are here, you didn't do anything by picking up one piece of trash". I had a choice at that moment, I believe. Do I just throw away the wrapper in my sweaty hand to join it's other buddies on the ground, or do I stick through and try and find a trash can? Stubborn Lydia waited and after 20 minutes of walking, finally found a trash can. This whole story for me goes so much deeper than what simply happened on the surface. It feels that in the coming four months I'll have to face the choice of sticking with an extremely small and seemingly non-influencing action, or give in to the darkness and corruption that oozes out of every corner in this country.
I hope I make the right decision each time. It will come with strength and your prayers.

That should be all for now. Though I have so many more stories to share, I think I wouldn't be able to fit them all here. I plan on updating each week, but that may not happen, given how busy I am these days. Either way, I appreciate you all for following and caring :)